The Ecclesiastical Law Association is an association of English lawyers
who work for the Church of England.

Its members include :

Members of the ELA, Diocesan Chancellors and Deputy Chancellors, and Diocesan Registry Clerks may access the Forum, Documents, Contacts and other sections of the site by logging in with their Usernames and Passwords.

News

We have just learned of the death on 5 June 2008 of Oliver Prior, former Registrar of the Diocese of Norwich. An obituary can be found at http://www.leathesprior.co.uk/news/Oilver_Prior.htm.

For registered users who are able to log in, there are two new items in the Documents section. Firstly, under Documents/Miscellaneous, there is an article by Annie Whittingham, Solicitor, of Lichfield Diocesan Registry, containing advice about getting a condition about church attendance included in a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. Secondly, under Documents/Churches, there is a revised Opinion of the Legal Advisory Commission concerning liability for nuisance caused by the ringing of church bells.

Bill Godfrey, former Registrar of the Diocese of Ely, died on Monday 18 August, two days after suffering a stroke, aged 75. Until his death, Bill was very active in his retirement, having many interests, particularly music. There will be a private funeral at Hemingford Grey. A Service of Thanksgiving will take place at St. Margaret's Church, Hemingford Abbotts, on Friday 12 September 2008, at 3.00pm. No flowers.  Donations for The Stroke Association may be sent to:  Appeals Department, Freepost MID 19380, Northampton, NN1 1BR Tel: 01604 623943. www.stroke.org.uk

The Church of England Marriage Measure 2008 comes into force on 1st October 2008.

Miranda Myers retired as Registrar of the Diocese of Sheffield on 1st May 2008. Her successor is Andrew Vidler. The new Diocesan Registry address is 68 Clarkehouse Road, Sheffield S10 2LJ. Telephone 0114 2666660. E-mail This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

Alan McAllester retired as Registrar of the Diocese of Chester on 30 April 2008. His successor is Helen McFall.

John Thorneycroft retired as Joint Registrar of the Diocese of Lichfield on 30 March 2008. Niall Blackie continues as Registrar.

The Court of Arches judgement in Re St. Peter & St. Paul Chingford (installation of telecommunications equipment) is available in the Documents section of the web site, for those who are able to log in.

The new edition of Legal Opinions Concerning the Church of England is available, price £65.00, from Church House Bookshop.

A revised version of Chancel Repair Liability - How to research it, by James Derriman, is available from the publishers, Wildy, Simmonds & Hill, Lincoln's Inn Archway, Carey Street, London WC2A 2JD. Price £19.95. (ISBN 9781898029847)